Running is a gift from Heaven. In fact, if I lead a good life, I expect to receive in the hereafter a pair of fresh-from-the-factory New Balance training shoes to go with my halo – both gold-plated, of course. Oh, and it will be Fall.

I believe there is nothing better than going on an Autumn run. I love how the leaves crunch beneath my feet and the crisp air wakens my senses. Somehow, magically I actually feel lighter on my feet.

My best running experience happened in the Fall. It occurred In the Uintah Mountains, an hour and a half from where I grew up. I was there with my dad. We had borrowed my grandpa ‘s 1955 Chevy pickup – a classic. Deep blue, eighteen inch diameter steering wheel, the word STOP painted on each of the rear brake lights … I should describe it in detail in a future post. Anyway, my dad and I were in the mountains to cut a load of firewood for the winter. It was hard work! We spent the day manhandling the chainsaw, trimming off the branches with our combination axe/sledge hammer, and hauling the logs back to the bed of the truck. After my dad and I tied down the load, I got changed into my running clothes. I wasn’t about to miss a day of training, firewood or no! It didn’t matter that I was tired. In fact, most great things happen when you least expect them.

It was late afternoon when I started running. We had driven on a winding dirt road for maybe 10 miles to get to the firewood spot. I planned on running back out. As it was getting dark, my dad drove the truck behind me, with the headlights lighting the way. Now, here is the cool thing. There wasn’t anything special about the run, EXCEPT, I was with my dad and the 1955 Chevy, and I felt like I could run and run, as long and as fast as I wanted. If there was a hill, I sprinted up it. If the road was flat, I lengthened my stride and took off. Sometimes my dad had a tough time keeping up on the winding road. I just kept on going. If only I could have everything be this perfect in a race!

I love my dad for being so willing to drive the truck behind me to show the way. He was my biggest fan. Someday, I hope to go on a run with him again. I’ll bet it will be Fall. To be sure, the clear, crisp air and the crisp fallen leaves will help it be another perfect run, like you would expect in Heaven.